Refreshing Watermelon-Feta Party Salad Recipe by Ina Garten

Summer’s vibrant colors dance on your plate with this Ina Garten feta watermelon salad that promises a burst of refreshing flavor.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients mingle in a delightful symphony of sweet and savory notes.

Crisp watermelon chunks create a perfect canvas for creamy feta tangy embrace.

Fresh herbs and a zesty vinaigrette elevate every bite with bright, bold tastes.

The salad brings a cool respite from sweltering days, offering a light yet satisfying dish.

Elegant and simple, this recipe turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor a salad that captures the essence of summer’s delicious simplicity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 90 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients Used in Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad

• Watermelon: Sweet summer star that brings vibrant color and juicy crunch to the salad, choose ripe and fragrant fruits with deep red flesh.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zesty ingredient that adds crisp texture and bold flavor, select firm onions with smooth, tight skin.
• Fresh Mint Leaves: Bright herb that introduces cooling and aromatic notes, pick vivid green leaves without wilting or brown spots.

• Feta Cheese: Tangy and creamy Greek cheese that provides salty contrast, opt for authentic sheep's milk variety with smooth, crumbly texture.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Rich, sweet-tart liquid that elevates the salad's complexity, choose high-quality aged balsamic with deep, glossy appearance.

Tools That Help Make Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining and tossing all salad ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precisely cubing watermelon and chopping mint and red onion.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for ensuring accurate ingredient proportions if needed.
• Serving Platter or Bowl: Ideal for presenting the final colorful salad.

Simple Steps for Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad

• Summer Freshness The vibrant combination of juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and crisp herbs creates a refreshing dish perfect for hot days.
• Watermelon Base Carefully cube ripe watermelon into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are uniform and delicate.
• Herbal Accent Finely chop mint leaves to release their aromatic essence, adding a bright note to the salad.
• Onion Zip Slice red onion into thin, delicate rings to provide a subtle sharp contrast against the sweet watermelon.
• Cheese Crumble Scatter crumbled feta across the salad, allowing the creamy white cheese to nestle between the ruby red fruit pieces.
• Flavor Boost Optional drizzle of balsamic glaze can elevate the entire dish, introducing a complex sweet-tangy dimension.
• Final Touch Gently combine all ingredients, ensuring each element remains intact while creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Add-On Suggestions for Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad

• Refrigerate the salad for 15-30 minutes before serving to let the mint and feta infuse their flavors into the watermelon, creating a more intense taste experience.
• Swap feta for goat cheese or fresh mozzarella to create a unique twist on the classic recipe, adding your personal culinary touch to the summer salad.
• Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crumbled prosciutto to transform this light side dish into a satisfying main course that's perfect for lunch or dinner.
• Experiment with different fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano instead of mint to create new flavor profiles that complement the sweet watermelon and salty cheese.
• Toast some pine nuts or sliced almonds and sprinkle them over the salad for an unexpected crunch that adds depth and complexity to the simple summer dish.

How to Serve Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Right

• Pair with Protein Perfection: Grill up some chicken, shrimp, or salmon to serve alongside this refreshing salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Create Mediterranean Feast: Serve with warm pita bread, hummus, and grilled vegetables to transform this salad into a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired spread.
• Elevate Summer Gathering: Present this colorful salad as a stunning side dish at backyard barbecues, pool parties, or outdoor dinner events to impress your guests with a cool, elegant touch.
• Customize with Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds over the top to add a delightful textural contrast and nutty flavor to the sweet and tangy salad.

Storage Suggestions for Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store this vibrant salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the watermelon will release moisture, potentially making the salad slightly watery.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop ingredients separately and combine just before serving to maintain the crisp texture and prevent soggy vegetables. Store chopped watermelon, onions, and mint in separate sealed containers.
• Quick Serving Tips: Best enjoyed within 2-3 hours of preparation to ensure maximum freshness and crunch. The feta and mint will start to lose their bright flavor if left too long.
• Temperature Matters: Serve chilled for the most refreshing experience. Remove from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors come to life and prevent the salad from being too cold.

Vibrant Ina Garten Feta Watermelon Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Summer’s delightful feta watermelon salad blends Mediterranean flavors with refreshing ingredients. Cool slices of watermelon complement salty feta, creating a perfect balance for sultry days you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups (1.4 L) watermelon, cubed 1-inch
• ½ cup (120 mL) feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ red onion, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup (80 mL) fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Cube watermelon into uniform 1-inch pieces with precision, ensuring clean edges and consistent sizing.
2. Ingredient Staging: Finely dice red onion into delicate slivers and chop fresh mint leaves to release their aromatic essence, creating a vibrant flavor profile.
3. Composition: Layer watermelon cubes, onion slivers, and mint fragments in a spacious mixing vessel, arranging them to create a visually appealing color palette.
4. Cheese Integration: Crumble feta cheese with gentle movements, distributing creamy white fragments evenly across the salad surface to enhance texture and taste.
5. Flavor Enhancement: Drizzle premium balsamic vinegar or glaze in a circular motion, allowing the rich, tangy liquid to weave through the ingredients.
6. Mixing Technique: Employ a soft, folding method to combine components delicately, preserving watermelon integrity while allowing flavors to meld seamlessly.
7. Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the salad for 10-15 minutes, enabling ingredients to chill and harmonize, intensifying the refreshing summer essence.
8. Presentation: Serve immediately in a chilled dish, showcasing a vibrant, elegant salad that captivates both visually and gastronomically.

Notes

• Precise Cutting Technique: Use a sharp knife to create uniform 1-inch watermelon cubes, ensuring clean edges for a professional presentation and consistent texture.
• Onion Preparation Tip: Soak diced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharp bite and soften its intense flavor, creating a more balanced taste profile.
• Mint Freshness Hack: Chop mint leaves just before mixing to preserve maximum aromatic oils and prevent wilting, guaranteeing a bright, crisp herbal essence.
• Chilling Magic: Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for exactly 10-15 minutes, letting flavors meld and develop a refreshing, cohesive taste without compromising watermelon’s delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 90
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg